NU Salary 2026: $92,983–$166,967 — Nursing (Government of Canada)
Effective Date: 2025-10-01 · Verified 2026-04-26
NU rates of pay for all NU (Nursing) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $92,983 to $166,967 across 15 levels. Category: Health & Safety. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
| Level | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NU-EMA-1 | $94,258 ~$65K net | $96,614 ~$66K net | $99,030 ~$68K net | $101,504 ~$70K net | $104,040 ~$71K net | $106,643 ~$73K net | — | — | — |
| NU-EMA-2 | $102,884 ~$70K net | $105,459 ~$72K net | $108,096 ~$74K net | $110,795 ~$75K net | $113,570 ~$77K net | $116,408 ~$79K net | — | — | — |
| NU-HOS-1 | $92,983 ~$64K net | $94,104 ~$65K net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| NU-HOS-2 | $95,230 ~$66K net | $97,472 ~$67K net | $99,718 ~$68K net | $101,965 ~$70K net | $104,203 ~$71K net | $106,456 ~$73K net | — | — | — |
| NU-HOS-3 | $95,896 ~$66K net | $98,085 ~$67K net | $100,266 ~$69K net | $102,449 ~$70K net | $104,630 ~$71K net | $106,814 ~$73K net | $109,001 ~$74K net | — | — |
| NU-HOS-4 | $99,042 ~$68K net | $101,389 ~$69K net | $103,717 ~$71K net | $106,075 ~$72K net | $108,410 ~$74K net | $110,753 ~$75K net | $113,084 ~$77K net | $115,426 ~$78K net | — |
| NU-HOS-5 | $103,761 ~$71K net | $106,414 ~$73K net | $109,067 ~$74K net | $111,725 ~$76K net | $114,371 ~$77K net | $117,037 ~$79K net | $119,693 ~$81K net | $122,344 ~$82K net | — |
| NU-HOS-6 | $109,001 ~$74K net | $112,178 ~$76K net | $115,360 ~$78K net | $118,526 ~$80K net | $121,716 ~$82K net | $124,894 ~$84K net | $128,072 ~$86K net | $131,257 ~$87K net | — |
| NU-HOS-7 | $120,299 ~$81K net | $123,930 ~$83K net | $127,565 ~$85K net | $131,191 ~$87K net | $134,821 ~$89K net | $138,449 ~$91K net | $142,073 ~$93K net | $145,702 ~$95K net | — |
| NU-HOS-8 | $122,572 ~$82K net | $126,646 ~$85K net | $130,713 ~$87K net | $134,788 ~$89K net | $138,456 ~$91K net | $142,923 ~$93K net | $146,988 ~$95K net | $150,525 ~$97K net | $154,064 ~$99K net |
| NU-PRA-01 | $120,156 ~$81K net | $122,503 ~$82K net | $124,831 ~$84K net | $127,189 ~$85K net | $129,524 ~$86K net | $131,867 ~$88K net | $134,198 ~$89K net | $136,540 ~$90K net | — |
| NU-PRA-02 | $121,356 ~$82K net | $124,009 ~$83K net | $126,662 ~$85K net | $129,320 ~$86K net | $131,966 ~$88K net | $134,632 ~$89K net | $137,288 ~$90K net | $139,939 ~$92K net | — |
| NU-PRA-03 | $124,250 ~$83K net | $127,427 ~$85K net | $130,609 ~$87K net | $133,775 ~$89K net | $136,965 ~$90K net | $140,143 ~$92K net | $143,321 ~$93K net | $146,506 ~$95K net | — |
| NU-PRA-04 | $133,202 ~$88K net | $136,833 ~$90K net | $140,468 ~$92K net | $144,094 ~$94K net | $147,724 ~$96K net | $151,352 ~$97K net | $154,976 ~$99K net | $158,605 ~$101K net | — |
| NU-PRA-05 | $135,475 ~$89K net | $139,549 ~$91K net | $143,616 ~$93K net | $147,691 ~$96K net | $151,359 ~$97K net | $155,826 ~$100K net | $159,891 ~$102K net | $163,428 ~$104K net | $166,967 ~$105K net |
Net estimates assume Ontario, no dependents, PSPP Group 2 (post-2013 hire). Use the calculator for your full situation including province, marital status, RRSP, union dues, and pension group.
Select a level for full step breakdown
NU-EMA-1
$94,258 – $106,643
$3,625 – $4,102 biweekly (before deductions)
Rates effective from 2025-10-01 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
NU-EMA-1 pay raise history (rates from previous collective agreements)
| Effective Date | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-01 | $94,258 | $96,614 | $99,030 | $101,504 | $104,040 | $106,643 |
| 2024-10-01 | $92,410 | $94,720 | $97,088 | $99,514 | $102,000 | $104,552 |
| 2023-10-01 | $86,481 | $88,642 | $90,859 | $93,128 | $95,456 | $97,843 |
| 2022-10-01 | $83,962 | $86,060 | $88,213 | $90,416 | $92,676 | $94,993 |
| 2021-10-01 | $80,121 | $82,124 | $84,178 | $86,280 | $88,437 | $90,647 |
NU – Nursing
$92,983 – $166,967
$3,576 – $6,422 biweekly (before deductions)
15 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2025-10-01 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
About the NU Classification
The NU (Nursing) group covers registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and nursing managers working in federal healthcare settings. NU employees provide direct patient care at Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit health facilities, Correctional Service of Canada institutions, Veterans Affairs Canada treatment centres, National Defence health services, and other federal healthcare operations. Many NU positions are in remote or isolated communities where federal nurses are the primary healthcare providers.
NU-CHN (Community Health Nurse) covers nurses working in First Nations communities — often the sole healthcare provider in isolated locations. NU-HOS covers hospital and institutional nurses at correctional facilities and military bases. NU-EMA covers emergency medical aides. The NU pay scale is competitive with provincial nursing rates, and isolated-post allowances can significantly increase total compensation for nurses in remote communities — northern nursing stations may offer $10,000–$25,000 in additional allowances.
The NU group is represented by PSAC under the Health Services (SH) collective agreement. Federal nursing is distinct from provincial healthcare employment: the work often involves cross-cultural care delivery, public health programming, and operating in resource-limited settings. Retention is a persistent challenge, particularly for remote postings, which is why NU compensation includes various premiums and allowances beyond base salary. Nurses considering federal employment should note that the defined-benefit pension and job security can offset the sometimes lower base salary compared to large urban hospitals.
NU Tools and Related Resources
NU net pay after federal + provincial tax, CPP, EI, PSPP
Compare with other classificationsSide-by-side NU vs AS, EC, IT, FI, PM
NU raise history vs CPICumulative raise vs Statistics Canada inflation
Other Health & Safety classifications
NU salary — frequently asked questions
What is the NU salary range?
The NU (Nursing) salary range is $92,983 to $166,967 per year as of 2025-10-01, across 15 levels (NU-EMA-1, NU-EMA-2, NU-HOS-1, NU-HOS-2, NU-HOS-3, NU-HOS-4, NU-HOS-5, NU-HOS-6, NU-HOS-7, NU-HOS-8, NU-PRA-01, NU-PRA-02, NU-PRA-03, NU-PRA-04, NU-PRA-05). Rates are sourced from publicly published collective agreements.
What does NU stand for in the Government of Canada?
NU is the Treasury Board classification code for Nursing positions in the Government of Canada. It covers 15 levels (NU-EMA-1, NU-EMA-2, NU-HOS-1, NU-HOS-2, NU-HOS-3, NU-HOS-4, NU-HOS-5, NU-HOS-6, NU-HOS-7, NU-HOS-8, NU-PRA-01, NU-PRA-02, NU-PRA-03, NU-PRA-04, NU-PRA-05) reflecting different levels of responsibility and seniority.
How much does a NU-EMA-1 make?
A NU-EMA-1 earns $94,258 (Step 1) to $106,643 (Step 6) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-EMA-2 make?
A NU-EMA-2 earns $102,884 (Step 1) to $116,408 (Step 6) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-HOS-1 make?
A NU-HOS-1 earns $92,983 (Step 1) to $94,104 (Step 2) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-HOS-2 make?
A NU-HOS-2 earns $95,230 (Step 1) to $106,456 (Step 6) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-HOS-3 make?
A NU-HOS-3 earns $95,896 (Step 1) to $109,001 (Step 7) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-HOS-4 make?
A NU-HOS-4 earns $99,042 (Step 1) to $115,426 (Step 8) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-HOS-5 make?
A NU-HOS-5 earns $103,761 (Step 1) to $122,344 (Step 8) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-HOS-6 make?
A NU-HOS-6 earns $109,001 (Step 1) to $131,257 (Step 8) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-HOS-7 make?
A NU-HOS-7 earns $120,299 (Step 1) to $145,702 (Step 8) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-HOS-8 make?
A NU-HOS-8 earns $122,572 (Step 1) to $154,064 (Step 9) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-PRA-01 make?
A NU-PRA-01 earns $120,156 (Step 1) to $136,540 (Step 8) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-PRA-02 make?
A NU-PRA-02 earns $121,356 (Step 1) to $139,939 (Step 8) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-PRA-03 make?
A NU-PRA-03 earns $124,250 (Step 1) to $146,506 (Step 8) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-PRA-04 make?
A NU-PRA-04 earns $133,202 (Step 1) to $158,605 (Step 8) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a NU-PRA-05 make?
A NU-PRA-05 earns $135,475 (Step 1) to $166,967 (Step 9) per year as of 2025-10-01. NU-PRA-05 is the senior-most level in the NU group.
When was the NU pay scale last updated?
The current NU pay scale on FedPay.ca is effective 2025-10-01, with a total of 109 pay steps across 15 levels. Data is verified against Treasury Board collective agreements regularly.
What is the NU take-home pay after taxes?
NU take-home pay depends on your level, step, province, and pension group. Use the FedPay.ca take-home pay calculator at fedpay.ca/take-home to see your net pay after federal tax, provincial tax, CPP, EI, and Public Service Pension Plan contributions for any NU level and step.